Lars Boom, who left Liv Racing with immediate effect, has been named manager of rival team SD Walks.

The Dutchman, who signed a two-year contract, will officially take up his new position on October 1 of this year and will coach newcomer 19-year-old Kata Blanca Vas throughout the cyclocross season.

He will then join the World Team road program for the 2022 campaign, working under team boss Danny Stam with current world champion Anna van der Breggen, who will retire at the end of 2021 to take a coaching position, and former world Champion Chantal van den Broeck-Blaak, who will also retire next May.

"I had a good time with my previous team, but when the best women's team in the peloton knocks on your door, it feels like a great and unique opportunity," Boom said.

"In the last few years of my career I combined field, road, and mountain biking. In Cata Blanca Vas, we have a young world champion in field and mountain biking. I want to use my experience to help her make further progress. I see working with her as a challenging and rewarding challenge."

"I think I can still learn a lot from Danny. I also think it will be fun to work with Anna and Chantal, who have experienced all that women's cycling has to offer and will begin another challenge next year. I hope to share certain visions from my years of experience in men's cycling. We all have different insights into cycling and will form a nice team."

Boom was world champion in elite men's cross in 2008, but has since focused on the road, racing in Rabobank, Astana, and Jumbo Visma. He left the division to join Loompot Charles, but ended his road career at the end of 2019, joining Rib Racing as performance manager midway through 2020 and moving to the women's peloton.

SD Walks loses Van der Breggen as a rider, but Boom can work with rising Classics star Demi Vollering, who won Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April.

"Lars Boom's success in road, cross, and mountain biking is an absolute advantage.

"Lars made a fresh and positive impression on me. I was struck by his enthusiasm and drive. He is always deeply involved with his riders. I see a lot of opportunities for someone who will gain a lot of knowledge in practice and augment the technical staff."